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Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Period Artwork

While searching for something else on
the net I came across a blog devoted to toys and miniatures, including
bas relief tin flats. Among the posts related to Renaissance and Early
Modern minis, there was a post from 2012 that mentioned a great site for period engravings: The Frederik Muller Historieplaten
digital collection from the Dutch Rijksmuseum.Due in part to having the
highest standard of living in the world, the Netherlands in the Early
Modern period is a great source of period paintings and engravings.

City plans like this one for the town of 's-Hertogenbosch are perfect for historical city maps for GM and player. Some skill with GIMP, Photoshop, or even Paint can allow the GM to highlight or mark specific areas.

's-Hertogenbosch besieged by Prince Maurice, 1601

Admiral Tromp's flagship Aemilia,ca.1639

This picture is inspiring for a parade or victory celebration. When the resolution is high enough, as it is with these engravings, these can be a good source of faces for various NPCs. I particularly like the inn sign on the right and the odd wagon-coach in the center is interesting.